Kirk Ferentz – Syndication Server

Kirk Ferentz evaluates Brendan Sullivan’s bowl game performance vs. Mizzou

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz shared his thoughts on Brendan Sullivan’s bowl game performance vs. Missouri.

Iowa’s 2024 college football season closed on Monday with a 27-24 loss against the Missouri Tigers in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl. With the defeat, Iowa ends its campaign with an 8-5 record overall.

Like two other instances this season, Iowa coughed up a 10-point lead in the loss.

Afterwards, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz broke down his thoughts on junior quarterback Brendan Sullivan’s performance.

Ferentz was asked how he would evaluate Sullivan’s performance after Sullivan began his day 6-of-6 passing with a touchdown before Iowa’s offense stalled after halftime.

“You probably said it right there in a nutshell. I thought he played really well in the first half. We had a rhythm. He had a rhythm.

“I don’t mean this in a critical way. One of Brendan’s strengths is his competitiveness. He really cares. Not suggesting other quarterbacks don’t or our other ones that we’ve had don’t, but he’s really wound tight.

“So part of the challenge for him playing—this is not just quarterbacks, but anybody—you know, you have to be able to bridle that enthusiasm and the energy sometimes and make it work for you and not against you. I think when he gets running hot a little bit sometimes, it kind of gets out of whack there a little bit.

“Saw some improvements certainly, some progress. You know, he went out there and just played as hard as he possibly could. He’ll keep improving. We’re optimistic about that, and he’s a tremendous young person,” Ferentz said.

The 6-foot-4, 220 pound quarterback was sharp early but he and the Hawkeyes offense mustered up just three points after halftime. Sullivan ended his day against Missouri 14-of-18 passing for 131 yards with the opening 6-yard touchdown pass to Terrell Washington Jr.

Sullivan could very well be Iowa’s No. 1 quarterback entering the 2025 season. With several new arrivals, a quarterback competition could be on the horizon during the spring and fall as well, though.

Iowa recently added Auburn transfer Hank Brown to join a room that features walk-on Jackson Stratton and 2025 signee Jimmy Sullivan.

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Iowa football pleased with run game replacements vs. Missouri

Minus Kaleb Johnson, Iowa’s running backs did some nice things vs. Missouri.

The Iowa Hawkeyes didn’t have their biggest star against the Missouri Tigers in the Music City Bowl.

After a breakout junior campaign, running back Kaleb Johnson understandably opted out of the bowl game versus the Tigers to focus on the 2025 NFL draft.

With Johnson out of the equation, Iowa turned to a trio of running backs in redshirt freshmen Kamari Moulton and Terrell Washington Jr. and sophomore Jaziun Patterson. The results from that bunch earned a positive postgame review from Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz.

“Yeah, the three of those guys have all been really good. Obviously TJ has been working at receiver, but he’s a guy we think can do both.

“So I thought all three of them really did a nice job. It doesn’t seem like it’s too big for them at all, and I think they were eager to get a chance to go out there and play. All three of them are different type players, but they’re all really good football players. They’re really outstanding young guys. They’re fun to be around and fun to see at practice and all that type of thing. So, yeah, just happy with the way they stepped in there,” Ferentz said.

Moulton led the way on the ground with 14 carries for 96 yards and a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Patterson added nine carries for 74 yards.

Washington ran once for three yards but he also caught three passes for 26 yards, including his 6-yard touchdown grab to open the game’s scoring.

Ferentz also pointed to senior Tyler Elsbury’s contributions up front. In his final game, Elsbury earned his fifth career start and his second at center for the Hawkeyes with Iowa’s Logan Jones sidelined.

“Tyler Elsbury wasn’t perfect, but yeah, he stepped in with Logan being out and did a lot of good things too,” Ferentz said. “So that’s part of football. Yeah, really proud of those guys especially.”

While Iowa’s 27-24 loss against Missouri left a sour final taste in an 8-5 season overall, the production in the backfield is an encouraging sign as the program transitions toward the 2025 college football season.

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Iowa football dissects causes for third blown 10-point lead of 2024 season

Iowa football dissected the causes for its third blown 10-point lead of the 2024 season in a 27-24 loss vs. Missouri in the Music City Bowl.

Iowa football has typically been nails over the years when it builds a lead and when it finds just enough offense.

Prior to the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, Iowa was a perfect 32-0 when scoring 21 or more points dating back to the 2020 season. As Iowa licks its wounds from a 27-24 loss against Missouri to cap its 2024 season, the Hawkeyes saw that stretch of perfection fall by the wayside.

Iowa also saw a troubling trend continue against Missouri. For the third time this season, Iowa blew a double-digit lead. The Hawkeyes led the Tigers 24-14 with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter after junior kicker Drew Stevens connected on a 38-yard field goal.

Iowa entered the 2024 season with a 71-2 mark dating back to the start of the 2015 season when leading by eight points or more at any point in a game. The Hawkeyes exit the 2024 campaign losing three games in which they built two-score leads.

Iowa’s loss versus Missouri joined losses this season against Iowa State and at UCLA where the Hawkeyes coughed up double-figure advantages.

The Hawkeyes led the Cyclones 13-0 at halftime before eventually falling 20-19 and Iowa led UCLA 10-0 early from the Rose Bowl before losing 20-17 in Pasadena.

After the latest blown lead, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz was asked why that became a shortcoming for this particular Hawkeye team.

“I think each of them are different discussions probably. Maybe the most similar would be the last two. Just some of the things we talked about offensively first half versus the second half I think popped up in both of those. At least from my vantage point. Sometimes that’s going to happen,” Ferentz said.

In his final game donning the black and gold, Iowa defensive end Deontae Craig was tremendous, tallying four tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Still, it wasn’t enough and the 6-foot-3, 266 pound defensive lineman was also left answering why Iowa couldn’t lock down those healthy leads this season.

“I don’t know, it’s tough. I think, first and foremost, you have to give credit to our opponents. Their ability to stick with it even when things aren’t going the best for them, just keep pounding, keep trying to execute at a high level.

“Then to make some mistakes here and there, you have your eyes on the wrong spot, stepping the wrong way, getting out of your gap. When you lose close games like that, that’s how those things happen.

“Obviously there’s nothing we can do about it now. Just go back and stay in the film room, figure out the things that beat us, and for the guys coming back, just work on those things and pay extra close attention to them next time you get in those situations,” Craig said.

Ferentz pointed to Iowa’s inability to deliver complementary football as the main culprit for the trio of double-digit leads that Iowa squandered in 2024.

“If you get in a game like that, then you’re going to have to come up with some stops, too. If the offense isn’t doing it and, conversely, if we’re struggling defensively, it sure helps if you move the ball and get some points. We didn’t do either of those well enough today.

“Every day is a different discussion, but you know, certainly if we want to be a 10-win team or 11-win team like our opponent, you have to do a better job in those. Certainly when you have a lead — I think there was a stat I read earlier in the year that was kind of unbelievable when we had even a seven-point lead, I think it was, our record is pretty damn good. We kind of squelched that one unfortunately. We’ll go back to work, but just, again, really proud of our guys,” Ferentz said.

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Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz shares initial reaction to Music City Bowl defeat vs. Missouri

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz shared his initial thoughts on the Hawkeyes’ Music City Bowl defeat vs. the Missouri Tigers.

The Iowa Hawkeyes‘ 2024 college football season closed in disappointing fashion with a 27-24 loss against Missouri in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

Iowa built a 10-point second half lead when Drew Stevens’ 38-yard field goal split the uprights with 5:19 remaining in the third quarter.

But, the Hawkeyes couldn’t make it stand up as Missouri used a 4-yard touchdown run from receiver Joshua Manning and a pair of long-range field goals from kicker Blake Craig from 51 and 56 yards en route to the Music City Bowl victory.

Afterwards, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz shared his initial remarks on the Hawkeyes’ season-ending defeat against Missouri.

“Obviously disappointed with the outcome. That was not our intention obviously coming here.

“We’re competing tonight. I think our guys played with good effort. I thought they prepared and practiced well getting ready for the bowl game. Bottom line, it’s what I told them in the locker room, we didn’t play well enough to expect to win against a good team, a ranked team. So it’s kind of the bottom line,” Ferentz opened by saying.

Ferentz lamented the miscues that led to the loss, including a costly unnecessary roughness penalty on Iowa safety Quinn Schulte that extended Missouri’s game-tying scoring drive and Hawkeye quarterback Brendan Sullivan’s second-half interception.

“I think three keys to me that made a difference… penalties, probably had a few more than we’re used to. One costly one there certainly in the second half. That was a judgment penalty, and that’s disappointing.

“Turnover, takeaway margin, we came up short in that, and that’s not good for any football team. Certainly not us. Same thing with third down conversions. I think probably the biggest differentiating thing there I would point out, we were clean in the first half turnover-wise, and then had the one pick. It came at a bad time. There’s never a good time, but we had the ball at midfield,” Ferentz said.

Iowa’s inefficiency to keep offensive drives alive after halftime was also a killer.

“Then, the the third down situation. We were 5 out of 6 first half, and that was a point of emphasis. Sorry, 4 out of 5 first half. Then we were up 6 of 13 overall, which you can do the math on that. That’s 1 and 8 in the second half. That’s pertinent.

“These guys are a highly-ranked team penalty-wise and a highly-ranked team turnover and takeaway margin. They’ve done a good job on third down conversions and third down defense. I think in the first half we did a good job of minimizing those yardages, if you will, and were able to stay on the field a little better. Obviously, it didn’t happen the second half. It became a big deal as well,” Ferentz said

Ultimately, it’s now Iowa’s ninth straight loss against a ranked foe, which won’t sit well with Hawkeye fans that are ready to see the program stand toe to toe with more of the nation’s best teams.

“It’s disappointing. In the final minutes we just didn’t have what it took to get it done, so that’s disappointing. Give credit to Missouri. They played a really good football game. They’re a good team, and we give them credit,” Ferentz said.

As Ferentz’s 26th season at the helm concludes, the longtime Iowa head coach wanted to make sure his appreciation for his players was known.

“Two things in the locker room basically is just told the team, I appreciate their effort, and we just didn’t play well enough to win. Then, most importantly, probably is just thanking our seniors. We had a great group of 20-plus seniors that did a great job for us during their entire careers. Some have been five or six years. Others one or two. You know, guys that transferred in. So each and every one of them did a great job exemplifying what it is to be a good student-athlete, good college football player.

“So I really appreciate their efforts. Obviously I wish them the best, and we’ll do all we can to help them as they move forward. A lot of good things this season. A lot of real positives, and this one is going to sting for a little bit,” Ferentz said.

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Kirk Ferentz reveals Hawkeyes ruled out vs. Missouri

Kirk Ferentz revealed several Hawkeyes that are out vs. Missouri.

In his final media comments before the game kicks off, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz revealed several Hawkeyes that won’t play versus Missouri in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

Ferentz shared that senior center Logan Jones, junior wide receiver Seth Anderson and sophomore defensive back Koen Entringer will all be sidelined due to injury.

“A couple of things I’ll just share with you personnel-wise. We have three of our players that will not be available medically. Logan Jones will not be able to go. Didn’t make it there. Seth Anderson suffered an injury a couple of weeks ago, and he is not going to be able to go. I don’t see that happening. Koen Entringer, same thing,” Ferentz told reporters on Sunday.

Jones has been dealing with a broken bone in his right hand, which is his snapping hand. The 6-foot-3, 293 pound center practiced on Friday and was snapping with his left hand, but Iowa will turn to senior Tyler Elsbury in his Jones’ place.

“Last year Tyler stood in there I think for four games when Logan missed. He got injured and had to come out. Els did a great job, really good job. That is a real benefit. It’s a luxury item, quite frankly, to have him available. Nick DeJong did a great job when Dunk was out, and we didn’t miss a beat.

“It’s hard to replace a guy like Logan. Logan is not only a really good football player, team leader, he will be on the sideline tomorrow and can’t go, unfortunately. Tyler will do a good job. Great opportunity for him. I know he’s excited about it,” Ferentz said of Elsbury.

Jones has started all 12 games this season at center and 38 over the past three seasons for Iowa.

Meanwhile, Anderson has played in seven games this season and started two. The 6-foot receiver has caught five passes for 106 yards. Entringer has played in all 12 games, started one and has 18 tackles and one interception on the season.

Iowa will also be without senior linebacker Kyler Fisher, who has been listed as the Hawkeyes’ starting Leo. According to coach Ferentz, Fisher did not meet an eligibility requirement.

“We have three guys that won’t be able to go, and another guy I just want to mention, Kyler Fisher, one of our seniors, has an unmet eligibility requirement, which is kind of ironic. I can give you a whole commentary on college athletics today. He’s a graduate, but he has an unmet requirement there,” Ferentz said.

Without delving into all of the details, Ferentz sounded disappointed for Fisher and wanted to make note of the contributions that Fisher chose to continue making for the team in its bowl prep for Missouri.

“He’s not going to be able to compete. He’s been with us. I just want to take a minute to talk about him because to me he’s what’s good about college football. We hear about all these crazy stories.

“A little slip there, so he missed something, an assignment, whatever it may have been. He’s chosen to stay with the team. He’s a senior and has practiced each and every day, been on the look squad. That was not beneath him. He’s been doing a great job working against our defense,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz said Fisher’s journey at Iowa is an important one for the Hawkeyes.

“I think the story, the depth of things and why this is important. Walked on here from a small town in Iowa. We’ve had a real history of walk-ons doing special things for us.

“Three years ago I wasn’t sure he liked football, quite frankly, just watching him in the weight room and watching him in our program. It’s not that he was disinterested. Just didn’t look like he was really enjoying things. I’m not sure what happened to him, but this happens to a lot of guys in college. Somewhere along the way, somewhere year two and three, something just happened for him, and he’s just done an unbelievable job,” Ferentz said.

Fisher’s attitude and development is even more impressive considering he hasn’t been able to crack Iowa’s starting lineup.

“Hasn’t started. We’ve had some pretty good linebackers. Hasn’t started on the inside positions, but he was our starter outside and has been an unbelievable player in special teams the last couple of years.

“A great leader. Everything he does is first-class. I just want to single him out. It’s unfortunate he won’t play, but he’s been here doing a great job, and he’ll be on the sidelines with us tomorrow,” Ferentz said.

Iowa will close its season against Missouri from Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., with a 1:30 p.m. CT kickoff on ESPN.

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Iowa football roster cuts have made for a challenging December

Getting to the 105-player maximum has been a headache for Iowa football.

In October, preliminary approval was granted to the $2.8 billion House v. NCAA settlement.

One of the proposed pieces of the settlement terms includes maximum roster sizes in every Division I NCAA-sponsored sport. In FBS football, that maximum roster figure is 105 players.

The average roster size in college football was 121.4 players during the 2023 season. That means there are some tough conversations to be had nationally as coaches and programs work to trim their rosters down to the 105-player maximum before the beginning of the 2025-26 school year.

Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz discussed how the new roster limits have made for a challenging December.

“Awful. It’s been the hardest part of this month. It could have been so easily avoided if we stair-stepped it. I’m sure it was a financial decision. Nobody asked me for my opinion or filled me in on the details. I’m sure it was a financial decision, like everything we do.

“I would argue whatever the dollar amount was, keep it the same and spread it out on 120, 118, spread it among 118 instead of 105 and not have bloodletting. That’s the regrettable part in my mind,” Ferentz said.

With the reality of the 105-player roster limit staring Iowa in the face, the Hawkeyes had those tough conversations this month. It’s evident by the amount of players that have departed Iowa’s program via the transfer portal.

Ferentz shared how the Hawkeyes approached those conversations with their players.

“There’s a couple ways to do it. I don’t know how other people are doing it. I’ve heard other people are approaching it differently. We felt very strongly as a staff we owed it to any player that might be in jeopardy to let them know the week following our last game what the status was, give them an opportunity to go out and prepare for whatever they want to prepare for.

“We’ve had guys leave the program at that point. They’ve left the program. We have other guys that are going to go to other places but staying with the program throughout the bowl. Everybody is getting bowl gifts, all that stuff. Everybody had the opportunity to stay with us and go to the bowl site and finish out this with us as a team member. They had the option of doing whatever they wanted to do. We’ve had other guys leave and already find other homes. We just felt like it was the right thing to do to give them a chance if they want to prepare for the future, do it. If they want to stay here, that’s great, too. It was hard,” Ferentz said.

As Iowa looks toward the future, Ferentz expressed concerns with how teams will navigate injuries during a season with the 105-player roster limits.

“Then the whole next chapter is going to be really interesting, too, because practice with 105 guys in college football. This is not the NFL. Nobody even brought up what happens if a guy has a season-ending injury. We can’t go out and bring somebody in to replace that guy. It makes practice a challenge, makes developing a team a challenge.

“Those are questions or discussions for post January. I’m not looking forward to that. I think it impacts a program like ours more so than other people that recruit five-star athletes every year because they’re a little bit more readymade. That’s the way it goes. We’ll figure out a way to make it an advantage,” Ferentz said.

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Kirk Ferentz shares first remarks on new Iowa QB Hank Brown

Kirk Ferentz shared his first remarks on new Iowa QB Hank Brown.

Before his team departs to Nashville, Tenn., for the TransPerfect Music City Bowl against Missouri (9-3, 5-3 SEC), Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz met with reporters and shared his first remarks on new Hawkeye quarterback Hank Brown.

“It’s like anything you do in the portal. If you go to the portal, you’re trying to improve your depth, trying to improve the level of competition at any given position. Obviously, we’re a little thin at that spot right now body-wise. Need some guys that we think have a chance to really develop and grow.

“I know Tim has been really thorough with his evaluations on everybody, including high school film. That was a big part of the evaluation, going back and watching all the prospects that we look at in high school, following it to whatever college tape may be there. I think the things that Tim is looking for, he found that with Hank,” Ferentz said of Brown.

A transfer from Auburn, Brown joins Iowa with three seasons of eligibility remaining.

The 6-foot-4, 210 pound quarterback appeared in three games with the Tigers this season, completing 27-of-43 passes (62.7%) for 403 yards with six touchdowns against three interceptions.

Brown saw action against Alabama A&M, New Mexico and Arkansas during the 2024 season. The Nashville, Tenn., product also played in the Tigers’ bowl game to end the 2023 season versus Maryland where Brown completed 7-of-9 passes for 132 yards against the Terps.

“The other key component is what is it going to be like when we meet the prospect, his family, how we feel they’re going to fit in the program. Vice versa, it has to be a mutual deal. Felt really good about it. We’re excited about it,” Ferentz said.

Brown joins an Iowa quarterback room that features Brendan Sullivan, Jackson Stratton and class of 2025 signee Jimmy Sullivan.

Brown is already with Iowa and he and Sullivan are joining the Hawkeyes for their final bowl practices. Neither can play in the bowl game, but it’s an early jump for the Iowa staff to see those two in action.

“It’s new for us, yeah. At least we’ll get eyes on these guys, get them out there. Tim will have them totally confused by Monday. They can travel with us to the bowl game but they can’t play,” Ferentz said.

Out of Lipscomb Academy, Brown was a three-star signee per the 247Sports Composite rankings. Brown was ranked as the No. 60 quarterback and as the No. 34 player from Tennessee according to 247Sports in the class of 2023.

247Sports ranked Brown as a three-star transfer, as its No. 41 quarterback and as the 266th-ranked player nationally.

Iowa (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) battles Missouri in the Music City Bowl on Dec. 30 at 1:30 p.m. CT from Nissan Stadium to close its 2024 season.

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Kirk Ferentz discusses former boss, Bill Belichick, joining North Carolina

Kirk Ferentz discussed his former boss, Bill Belichick, joining UNC and college football.

In the biggest coaching carousel move of 2024, six-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick is joining college football and has taken over the reins as North Carolina‘s new head football coach.

Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz knows Belichick well. Before arriving in Iowa City as the Hawkeyes‘ head coach prior to the 1999 college football season, Ferentz served as the Cleveland Browns‘ offensive line coach under then-Browns head coach Bill Belichick.

Ferentz worked with Belichick during the 1993-95 NFL seasons. While Belichick in the college game might seem strange to some, Ferentz said that Belichick’s football travels while guiding New England have Belichick well prepared to take over in Chapel Hill.

“I think he’s got firsthand exposure, certainly. His son is coaching at the University of Washington. Was on the field a couple months ago. I know he spent time up there with Steve.

“I think he’s gotten firsthand exposure live and in person. He also knows the college game from going around scouting, talking to college coaches frequently regarding prospects, that type of thing. To me what it says is he loves coaching. I think that’s pretty evident,” Ferentz said.

Though much of the football world was stunned by the move, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz wasn’t altogether surprised.

“Football is football, pro, college or high school. If you’re coaching, then you love coaching. I think it’s not a surprise at all. I think it’s probably a genius move at UNC,” Ferentz said.

Asked what advice Ferentz would offer Belichick about the college game, Iowa’s longtime head coach cracked a joke.

“Turn around and run like hell. I’m joking. I’m joking,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz then said Belichick’s ability to adapt to changing circumstances is one of Belichick’s greatest skills. To illustrate his point, Ferentz reflected upon the Browns’ controversial decision to cut quarterback Bernie Kosar midway through the 1993 NFL season and the franchise’s subsequent move to Baltimore prior to the 1996 NFL season.

“Nobody is more adept at handling change or crazy circumstances. I lived through two of them with him during our three years in Cleveland. I thought the first one was really extraordinary when we let Kosar go. We ended up cutting Bernie. Native son. You can imagine what that was like. That was nothing compared to the move two years later,” Ferentz said.

Ferentz expects Belichick to find success with the Tar Heels.

“He’s ultra-successful for a lot of reasons. He can take whatever presents itself and he’s going to figure out a way to work through it. He doesn’t need much coaching or help from me. I know he’s been observant. Again, having the connection with Steve. He spent time out there. He’s been there in camp, been there in season. He knows the drill, routine. He knows football better than anybody. He knows people as well.

“So he doesn’t need my advice. He’ll do really well. I know he’ll have really good people around him, starting with Mike Lombardi. He’ll be ready to roll. Just make sure they’re not on our schedule. That would be a task there,” Ferentz said.

North Carolina is currently readying for the Wasabi Fenway Bowl against UConn (8-4) after the Tar Heels completed a 6-6 (3-5 ACC) campaign.

Belichick replaces Mack Brown, who was fired at the end of the 2024 season.

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Kirk Ferentz addresses Iowa head coaching future ahead of Music City Bowl date

Ahead of the TransPerfect Music City Bowl, Kirk Ferentz addressed his head coaching future at Iowa.

With Iowa’s (8-4, 6-3 Big Ten) TransPerfect Music City Bowl clash against Missouri (9-3, 5-3 SEC) closing out its 26th season under the guidance of Kirk Ferentz, the nation’s longest-tenured coach was recently asked about his future.

The Hawkeyes‘ coach has a 204-123 record with the program since taking over from coaching legend Hayden Fry following the 1998 season.

With the 13-10 victory over Nebraska on Nov. 29, Ferentz’s 204 wins are one win shy of tying Ohio State‘s Woody Hayes for most overall wins by a coach as a member of the Big Ten Conference.

In terms of Big Ten wins, Ferentz’s 128 ranks third all time, trailing Michigan‘s Bo Schembechler by 15 (143) and Ohio State’s Woody Hayes (152) by 24.

When asked this month whether he plans to continue as Iowa’s coach for a 27th season in 2025, Ferentz cracked a joke.

“Hope so. Do you know something I don’t know?” Ferentz responded. “That’s my plan, yeah. It seems like there’s always stuff going on. Have you noticed that? You’ve been covering us for a long time. Somehow, we just keep moving forward.”

Though college football has evolved and changed, Ferentz still loves the foundational pieces of being a college football coach.

“There’s a lot of things that I won’t say frustrated, but a lot of things really make you step back and think, like, ‘That’s interesting.’ The more the game changes, the more the circumstances change, it’s still about being around good people. Our key is and I think what we enjoy — I think I speak for our whole staff, when you get the right guys on your team, it’s a lot of fun.

“We’re 100-plus population, so not everybody is going to be perfect, and we’re not all going to be best buddies, but I think there’s a mutual respect amongst our team and people in the program. To be part of that on a daily basis is pretty special. I’m enjoying that part of it.

“There are things that frustrate you obviously at times. Injuries frustrate you, and you can’t do a thing about them. It’s just part of the game. I wish it was 20 degrees warmer the other night, quite frankly, but a lot of things you can’t control. The good stuff is still the good stuff, and that hasn’t changed, and that’s the fun part about this thing,” Ferentz said.

While some Iowa fans have grown tired with the Hawkeyes’ offensive shortcomings or the program’s inability to capture its first conference title since 2004, Ferentz has turned Iowa football into a consistent winner and a premier destination for developing athletes into NFL-ready talent on an annual basis.

With his inclination to continue his tenure in Iowa City, the Hawkeyes will surely have another talented group next fall.

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Kirk Ferentz, Iowa took notice of new Purdue head coach during UNLV stint

Iowa’s Kirk Ferentz said he has been impressed from afar with new Purdue head football coach Barry Odom.

Though their paths haven’t yet crossed, Iowa head football coach Kirk Ferentz said he has been impressed by the Purdue Boilermakers’ new head football coach.

Purdue recently hired Barry Odom, 48, as its new head football coach. Odom orchestrated one of the more impressive coaching jobs over the past two seasons as he guided UNLV to back-to-back Mountain West championship game appearances and beat Power Four foes Houston and Kansas this season.

The Rebels lost each of those Mountain West Championship games to Boise State, but Odom compiled a 19-8 mark with UNLV over the past two seasons, including a 10-3 record this year.

Ferentz said it caught he and the Iowa staff’s eye.

“Tremendous respect for him, especially if you look at what he’s done here these last couple years. I don’t mean this in a negative way towards UNLV, but they’ve gone through several coaches there over the years and really have never had success, proven success or continued success there.

“So, I kind of look across things sometimes, things catch your eye. I’ve said it to several people this year the job that they’re doing down there is just absolutely amazing. I don’t pretend to know what they’re doing or how they were doing it other than I know they’re playing really good football. I’ve never met him personally, but have heard nothing but positive things about him as a person and as a coach. Not surprised that he’s that kind of success there,” Ferentz said of Odom.

Odom also served as the head coach at his alma mater, Missouri, from 2016-19. Odom was fired a day after the regular season ended following the Tigers’ 6-6 finish in the 2019 season.

Odom compiled a 25-25 (13-19 SEC) record during his four seasons with the Tigers.

Odom takes over a Purdue program that sank in a hurry under Ryan Walters’ direction. Walters went just 5-19 over two seasons at Purdue and was fired after a season-ending 11-game losing streak.

In addition to his head coaching stints, Odom has also worked as the defensive coordinator at Memphis, Missouri and Arkansas.

Iowa topped Purdue 20-14 in the two teams’ most recent meeting during the 2023 season. Then-sophomore running back Kaleb Johnson rushed for 134 yards, including his 67-yard rushing touchdown.

The Hawkeyes have won back-to-back games in the series. Iowa also beat Purdue, 24-3, during the 2022 season.

Purdue is not one of Iowa’s scheduled opponents during the 2025 college football season.

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